Michael O'Donoghue

Michael O'Donoghue (January 5, 1940 – November 8, 1994) was an American television and movie writer, most known as the original head writer for Saturday Night Live. He made a cameo appearance in the show's very first sketch, The Wolverines.

O'Donoghue was on and off of the show's staff. He was fired after season 3, reportedly for writing sketches that mocked then-NBC president Fred Silverman. He was brought back by Dick Ebersol when Ebersol took over at the end of season 6, but was fired at Christmas break the following season due to his conduct. He was brought back again when Lorne Michaels returned in season 11, but was fired for the third and final time halfway into the season.

He died of a cerebral hemorrhage on November 8, 1994. He was 54 years old.